The American Civil War


About the tour: The American Civil War


Tour Introduction

Join us as we delve into the history of the American Civil War, as we take a look at the war which raged for four years, from 1861 to 1865. We fly into the US where we partake in a series of tours seeing some of the battles most iconic locations. In Washington D.C. we enjoy a tour of the Museum of American History and offer guests the opportunity to pay a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. We visit the iconic Gettysburg, which is often referred to as the Civil War’s turning point, and Antietam the site of the bloodiest battle in American history. As well as visits to Lynchburg, Appomattox, Petersburg and Richmond, we also see Bull Run, where two major battles took place.

Tour Includes


  • 7 nights hotel on a room-only basis
  • Return flights to Washington D.C. with one checked-in suitcase
  • Fully escorted in the USA by a Specialist Historical Guide
  • Airport transfers in the USA
  • Hotel porterage (1 bag per person - air tour only)
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Once you have booked your battlefield tour either online, or by telephone (), you have the flexibility of how you pay off the remainder of your balance. You can -

  1. Use our balance payment facility online to make and track your card payments. You can pay as much as you want up until your final due date or pay it all, the choice is yours.
  2. Send payments via online banking.
  3. Send payments via cheque.
  4. Call us and make a card payment, either a small amount or as lump sum until your final due date.

Our contact and online banking payment details will be on your confirmation invoice to remind you of your choices.

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Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Washington D.C. where you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 2 - Washington D.C.

This morning we take an included half-day city tour by coach. We begin the tour with an introduction to Civil War history at the Museum of American History. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

Washington DC

Washington DC (2)

Key Visits

  • Musuem of American History
  • Washington DC

Day 3 - Gettysburg

We travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania this morning for a tour of the well-known battlefield. The Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 is often quoted as the Civil War’s turning point and resulted in the Confederates, under General Robert E. Lee, retreating to Virginia after their attempted second invasion into Union territory. Abraham Lincoln, in November of the same year, delivered his famous Gettysburg Address here at the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery. In the evening, join our included ‘Ghosts of Gettysburg’ tour. Stay overnight in Gettysburg.

Gettysburg

Gettysburg (3)

Key Visits

  • Gettysburg
  • Gettysburg National Cemetery

Day 4 - Antietam Battlefield & Harper’s Ferry

Included visit to the battlefield of Antietam (admission included), the bloodiest one-day battle in American history, where Lee’s invasion of Maryland was ended. Onwards to Harper’s Ferry, where in 1859 John Brown led his famous party of 21 men and secured the federal armoury. The slave uprising was to precipitate the onset of the Civil War. Overnight in Harper’s Ferry.

Antietam Battlefield

Antietam Battlefield (3)

Key Visits

  • Antietam Battlefield
  • Harper's Ferry

Day 5 - Lynchburg, Virginia

We travel to Lynchburg, an important central transportation centre for the Confederacy army, as well as having a large hospital for Confederate soldiers, and scene of the Battle of Lynchburg in 1864. We take a tour of the town before spending a night here.

Lynchburg

Lynchburg (2)

Key Visits

  • Lynchburg

Day 6 - Appomattox, Petersburg & Richmond

We travel first to Appomattox, where in 1865 General Lee surrendered to Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant, which signalled the end of the Southern States’ attempt to create a separate nation. The surrender set the stage for the emergence of an expanded and more powerful Federal Government and the end of the war led directly to the adoption of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution – ending slavery, providing citizenship and male suffrage. We visit the American Civil War Museum and then on to the Petersburg Battlefield (admission included), where the Union Army held the Confederates in a 292-day siege, the longest in American warfare. Travel to nearby Richmond for an overnight stay.

Petersburg

Petersburg (3)

Key Visits

  • Appomattox
  • American Civil War Museum
  • Petersburg

Day 7 - Arlington Cemetery

We return to Washington for an overnight stay, arriving late morning. Spend the afternoon in the capital or join our included visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Designated a military cemetery on June 15 1864, veterans and military casualties from every one of the nation’s wars since the American Civil War are interred in the cemetery. During the guided visit you will see many of Arlington’s famous memorials, including the Eternal Flame of the Kennedy grave, and the world-famous Tomb of the Unknowns.

Arlington Cemetery

Arlington Cemetery (2)

Key Visits

  • Arlington Cemetery

Day 8

Today we head to Manassas/Bull Run, where two battles took place, before transferring to the airport for the return overnight flight home.

Manassas

Manassas (2)

Key Visits

  • Manassas

Day 9

Arrive in the U.K.

Day 1

Make your own way to our hotel in Washington D.C. where you will join the tour.

Day 2 - Washington D.C.

This morning we take an included half-day city tour by coach. We begin the tour with an introduction to Civil War history at the Museum of American History. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

Washington DC

Washington DC (2)

Key Visits

  • Musuem of American History
  • Washington DC

Day 3 - Gettysburg

We travel to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania this morning for a tour of the well-known battlefield. The Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 is often quoted as the Civil War’s turning point and resulted in the Confederates, under General Robert E. Lee, retreating to Virginia after their attempted second invasion into Union territory. Abraham Lincoln, in November of the same year, delivered his famous Gettysburg Address here at the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery. In the evening, join our included ‘Ghosts of Gettysburg’ tour. Stay overnight in Gettysburg.

Gettysburg

Gettysburg (3)

Key Visits

  • Gettysburg
  • Gettysburg National Cemetery

Day 4 - Antietam Battlefield & Harper’s Ferry

Included visit to the battlefield of Antietam (admission included), the bloodiest one-day battle in American history, where Lee’s invasion of Maryland was ended. Onwards to Harper’s Ferry, where in 1859 John Brown led his famous party of 21 men and secured the federal armoury. The slave uprising was to precipitate the onset of the Civil War. Overnight in Harper’s Ferry.

Antietam Battlefield

Antietam Battlefield (3)

Key Visits

  • Antietam Battlefield
  • Harper's Ferry

Day 5 - Lynchburg, Virginia

We travel to Lynchburg, an important central transportation centre for the Confederacy army, as well as having a large hospital for Confederate soldiers, and scene of the Battle of Lynchburg in 1864. We take a tour of the town before spending a night here.

Lynchburg

Lynchburg (2)

Key Visits

  • Lynchburg

Day 6 - Appomattox, Petersburg & Richmond

We travel first to Appomattox, where in 1865 General Lee surrendered to Lt. General Ulysses S. Grant, which signalled the end of the Southern States’ attempt to create a separate nation. The surrender set the stage for the emergence of an expanded and more powerful Federal Government and the end of the war led directly to the adoption of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution – ending slavery, providing citizenship and male suffrage. We visit the American Civil War Museum and then on to the Petersburg Battlefield (admission included), where the Union Army held the Confederates in a 292-day siege, the longest in American warfare. Travel to nearby Richmond for an overnight stay.

Petersburg

Petersburg (3)

Key Visits

  • Appomattox
  • American Civil War Museum
  • Petersburg

Day 7 - Arlington Cemetery

We return to Washington for an overnight stay, arriving late morning. Spend the afternoon in the capital or join our included visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Designated a military cemetery on June 15 1864, veterans and military casualties from every one of the nation’s wars since the American Civil War are interred in the cemetery. During the guided visit you will see many of Arlington’s famous memorials, including the Eternal Flame of the Kennedy grave, and the world-famous Tomb of the Unknowns.

Arlington Cemetery

Arlington Cemetery (2)

Key Visits

  • Arlington Cemetery

Day 8

Depending on your flight time you can choose to continue the tour as described below or alternatively make your own way to the airport.

Today we head to Manassas/Bull Run, where two battles took place, before transferring to the airport for your flight back to the UK.

Manassas

Manassas (2)

Key Visits

  • Manassas

IMPORTANT NOTE: Visa/ESTA is required prior to travelling, please visit the ESTA Web site for more details. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel, however, it is recommended that applications are submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel.

Specialist Battlefield Guides

All of Leger’s battlefield tours are accompanied by specialist guides. Their individual in-depth knowledge of warfare will be informative, as well as enhance your overall experience, as they recreate a fascinating perception of the history and factual events of each battle. Discover the actual catalysts for war, the strategies employed and the final, inevitable outcomes, as well as experiencing the emotional human side of the front line.

Please note: On certain tours, you may get tour guides other that the ones listed below.

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Hotel

All hotels are of a minimum European 3-star standard and have a restaurant or bar on site or nearby. All rooms are en suite and have TV, telephone and air-conditioning.

Omni Shoreham Hotel or similar, Washington (nights 1 & 2)

Courtyard by Marriot Gettysburg or similar, Gettysburg (night 3)

Clarion Hotel Harper's Ferry or similar, Harper's Ferry (night 4)

Hilton Garden Inn or similar, Lynchburg (night 5) 

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown or similar, Richmond (night 6)

Washington Hilton or similar (night 7)

Please Note: due to local laws at least one person in each room booked must be 21 years of age or over.

Travel Options

All our coaches and transfer vehicles operate a 'no smoking on board policy'. The use of electronic cigarettes is strictly forbidden.
In the interest of fellow guests, do not take hot food or ice cream on board.
alcohol can only be taken on board our vehicles at the discretion of your driver.

When it comes to getting to the Battlefields, Leger Holidays make it easy, with a selection of travel options for you choose from.

Travel Extras

With an overnight stay, a Door-to-Door pick up or the option to meet us at the interchange, our travel extras allow you to create a travel experience to suit your needs...

Join coach at Interchange

Join your tour coach at the interchange.

On most tours if you’d prefer to join your tour coach at Stop 24 services, you can park your car in the car park which is accredited by the Park Mark safer parking scheme and is monitored 24 hours a day by CCTV. Payment for the parking is made on arrival using the self-service machines.

Excludes tours to Ireland and the U.K. and tours travelling via Brittany Ferries.

Door-to-Door service

On Battlefield tours of 7 days’ duration or more, you don’t even have to think about getting to your local joining point. Our Door-to-Door Service collects you from your home and takes you to meet your transfer vehicile, then brings you back at the end of the holiday. Door-to-Door Service is available within a 20-mile radius of one of our free joining points and is from £90 per car, return (up to 4 passengers per vehicle).

If you live a little further afield, you can also take advantage of this convenient option for an additional charge – please enquire at the time of booking.

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